War

The novel is set in two different time periods. The first time period is the present time in the novel, which is in Oxford in 2060. When the historians travel back in time, it is set in various locations in England during World War II, so the early 1940s. The historians are not directly affected by war time because they are able to return to the present time of Oxford 2060. The historians also have access to historical records to prepare them for the various aspects of living through a war prior to traveling back in time.

As the drop locations stop functioning, however, the historians get stuck back in the 1940s. Since they are in England and it is war time, the historians have to learn how to function on a daily basis, without being able to return to the present time. In essence, they become a part of...